Thegovernmenthas been put on thedefensive,accusedbycriticsof doing too little too late.
As always whenforcedon thedefensive, sheprotectedherself bycriticizingothers.
Theharshcritiquehas put him on thedefensive, and now he can'tstandtohearanytalkof hiswork.
Put on thedefensivebymountingpublicanger, thepresidentorderedaninvestigationinto thematter.
In his newpost, he wasconstantlyon thedefensive,explainingandjustifyinghis everyaction.